Detectives looking to identify two people in connection to an investigation into a sexual assault on a man in his 20s in Central London.
The Met police have released images of two men they wish to speak to and identify in connection with an investigation of a sexual assault on a man in central London.
The incident happened at around 2.45am on Wednesday, 24 October 2018 in Flitcroft Street, Camden, just a block away from G-A-Y Late and the famous gay centre of Old Compton Street.
Police say, the victim, a man in his 20s, was sexually assaulted by two men who then left the location on foot.
The victim’s friend, who did not witness the assault but who had been with him shortly before, came to his aid and police were called.
Detective Constable Robin East said, “This was a sexual assault on a man in a public street and we appeal for anyone who thinks they can help us with the investigation to come forward.
“Although this happened in the early hours, there would still have been a number of people around the area who may have seen the victim or suspects before or after the assault.
“We are interested in speaking to the two men in these images, so if you recognise them, please don’t delay in calling police.
“The victim in this case continues to receive support from specially trained officers.
“We have not had any further reports of similar assaults and this is being treated as an isolated incident.”
Both suspects were described by the victim as white, and of Eastern European origin. One man was thought to be between 35 to 40 years old, short (around 5ft5ins tall) and of stocky build. He was wearing a dark puffer jacket and had big ears.
The other man was believed to be slightly younger, between 30 and 35 years of age, of skinny build, clean shaven and had light brown hair. He was wearing a blue Superdry jacket and thought to be around 5ft8ins tall.
Anyone with information about this assault or who recognises the men in the CCTV images is asked to contact CN Safeguarding on 101 quoting 2330062/18, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Pride’s CEO has decided that Manchester will adopt Philadelphia’s black and brown rainbow flag which recognises and includes people of colour.
The “more colour” rainbow flag or “Philly flag” which includes a brown and black stripe will be used by Manchester Pride in 2019. The flag was first introduced by the city of Philadelphia in 2017 to “fuel the important conversation” of “recognizing people of colour in the LGBTQ+ community”. The US city has a large Black or African American community, which stands around 43 per cent of the population. Manchester in the UK is home to a large Asian community, which stands around 17 per cent and about 9 per cent for black people.
Mark Fletcher, the CEO of Manchester Pride told THEGAYUK, “We have seen that the iconic rainbow must adapt to reflect the modern society that we live in. A lot has happened but there is still a long way to go, especially in the recognition of people of colour in the LGBT+ community.
“To highlight the importance of this we’ve decided to adopt the 8 stripe flag created by the city of Philadelphia, USA as part of our logo.”
The Rainbow flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 and has been adapted over the years. It originally contained two extra colours, Pink and Cyan, which were later dropped to have just six colours, which is the most recognised version of the iconic symbol.
The symbol for the LGBT community made its debut in San Franciso in 1978. It was displayed at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day parade in 1978. It has since gone on to be recognised worldwide as the symbol for LGBT spaces, venues and pride. The longest ever version of the flag was debuted in Key West, Florida in 2003.
Kevin Fret has died at the age of just 24 after being shot on the streets of Puerto Rico.
Gay rapper Kevin Fret has died after being shot 8 times while he was riding a motorbike in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was just 24.
Fret was reportedly riding his motorcycle when he was shot at around 5:30 AM. He was taken to hospital after his shooting where he was pronounced dead.
The BBC reports that an investigation is underway.
His murder is the 22nd in Puerto Rico this year already.
Fret’s best-known song was “Soy Asi” which managed to rack up half a million views on YouTube, after its release in 2018. He is described as Latin Trap music’s first openly gay recording artist.
His latest single, “Diferente” featuring Mike Duran clocked up over 1.8 million hits.
“There are no words that describe the feeling we have and the pain that causes us to know that a person with so many dreams has to go.
“We must all unite in these difficult times, and ask for much peace for our beloved Puerto Rico.”
It is not known if Fret was targetted specifically or if his killing was an act of random violence or whether there is a hate-crime element to his death.
He would have been 25 on the 2nd Feb.
Is Puerto Rico LGBT+ friendly?
Puerto Rico has a good recent history with regards to LGBT+ rights. Gay people in the country are afforded many rights including, marriage, adoption there are discrimination laws to protect LGBT+ people.
Puerto Rico is known to have a high crime rate and something it has been struggling with for decades.
It has a homicide rate of 30.6 per 100,000 people. In the UK the homicide rate is 1.20 per 100,000 people.
TV star Rylan Clark-Neal has hit out at a homophobe who abused him on a busy London street.
Out TV presenter, Rylan has revealed that he was homophobically abused today in central London when someone shouted an anti-gay slur at him on a street, a block away from the world famous head quarters of the BBC. Rylan says he abused on Great Porland street, when an unnamed assailant shouted a homophobic slur at the star.
Taking to Twitter the former X Factor / Celebrity Big Brother star wrote that someone shouted at him to “fuck off” and called him the anti-gay slur “faggot”. However, Rylan alleges that as soon as he shouted back at his abuser, the abuser “ran away”. Rylan joked that the abuser ran like Phoebe from the hit 90’s sitcom, Friends.
To the prick on Great Portland Street that just shouted “Fuck Off You Faggot” at me. When I shouted you what at you and you run away…. you run like phoebe in friends… pic.twitter.com/kw9nJPFJNN
Hundreds of fans reached out to Rylan to wish him well after his ordeal – while the British LGBT Awards noted that “The Phoebe run is probably his only redeeming feature”.
Homophobic crime is on the rise the UK’s capital. In 2017 there were, on average around 6 anti-LGBT offences being recorded every day on London’s streets, a 9.63% increase year on year. In total, 2037 crimes were reported for the year 2016/17 compared to 1861 crimes in 2015 /16 and 1559 in 2014/15.
However, the Metropolitan Police service was keen to point out that the crime rates were lower than five years ago and these current statistics are set against the gruelling austerity measures and “significant reductions in resources” set out by this current government.
An anti-gay game where players can kill LGBT+ people by shooting them in the head or throwing them off buildings has lost its ability to take supporter payments by Paypal, THEGAYUK.com has learned.
The game’s website was also yanked by its host, Wix. Writing on the the new website, the game’s creators said, “Our previous website was shut down by our prior host after individuals worldwide who cannot differentiate between a perfectly legal, satirical video game parody and real life decided to make multiple complaints to the hosting provider, Wix, demanding we be censored”.
The game’s creators also said that they had been banned by payment processor, SQUARE.
The game was supposed to have a release date of 1st Feb 2019, but it has been moved up to the 15th January 2018.
The creators say that the gamer takes on the role of Jesus (or a host of other characters) to travel through various cities leaving a “wave of dead terrorists and radicals in his path” in a game which it says it “fun for all the family”.
The radicals are described as social justice warriors, radical feminists, radical LGBT militants, illegal aliens, terrorists, doctors, socialist politicians and a “radical frenzied NON-BINARY, GENDER FLUID pansexual humanoid berserker”.
The Killers
Players have a host of killers they can play as. Jesus is the main character however there is a choice of “Dolf” a character who looks similar to Adolf Hilter, “Tromp” who has the trademark hairstyle of President Donald Trump, “Pootin”, who has a very similar look to President Putin as well as other figures similar to historical leaders and tyrants. The game’s creators deny that the characters are based on real-life people.
The Creators
The game has been created by four people, who are largely anonymised or known solely by their first names. “John” who financed the game says he’s “Christian first, Republican second and is “no stranger to the old “elbow-grease”.
“Anon” is “A man dismayed at the overwhelming political correctness engulfing the USA and the rest of the world, he now fuels his rage into the development of JSB”
“Anon 2” is “An anonymous European Union resident. The anguish he feels at the EU suppressing his free speech rights drove him to work on JSB”
“Edge” is described as “a retired full-time edgelord before joining the JSB: JD team. He has seen some edgy things in his time and now manages the edge factor of JSB”
Support by PayPal dropped
Supporters were previously reminded that they could donate by PayPal in order to help pay for the game to be financed. Supporters were able to make monthly or one-off payments.
THEGAYUK.com reached out to PayPal for comment who told us there were “looking into it, however won’t be able to comment further due to customer confidentiality”.
PayPal has now pulled the ability to use their platform to support his game.
A transgender woman who allowed the cameras into her life to document her transition during the late 70s has died.
Manchester-based Julia Grant was a pioneer in the trans community when she became one of the first transgender women to allow a film crew from the BBC to document her transition in the late 70 through to the 90s. The show was called A Change Of Sex and was watched by more than 20 million people in the UK.
BBC first broadcast the first instalment of A Change Of Sex in late 1980 which was followed by two new chapters, Julia: The First Year and Julia: My Body, My Choice. A revised version aired in 1994, accompanied by another new chapter, The Untold Story, which updates viewers on Julia’s life of the past 15 years. The final instalment, Julia Gets Her Man, followed in 1999. David Pearson directed the films.
Julia was subject to another episode which was titled her dead name, which is described as an “inside story” episode and was broadcast in June 1979.
She passed away at the age of 64.
For many, Julia was the first trans woman they’d ever seen on television; she went on to completely shape the national trans debate and inspire people with gender dysphoria to come out and seek medical help.
She owned and operated an LGBT venue in the city of Manchester called, Hollywood Showbar. She passed away in the early hours of Wednesday (2nd January) after a short illness.
Gay rights campaigner and Manchester Liberal Democrat Leader John Leech responded:
“I’m really sad to hear the news that Julia Grant has passed away.
“She was rightfully looked up to by many as a leader in the LGBTQ+ community, in particular here in Manchester, but also across the country.
“Throughout her life, she took on issues that others couldn’t quite bring themselves to and, in the process, changed the course of thousands of people’s lives.
“Even as recently as last year, I know she was just as angry as I am about the overdevelopment and destruction of heritage and history in our Gay Village.
“Whilst this is a sad day, it is also a day to remind ourselves of her immense contributions to society and an even better day to renew our fight for true equality.
“The fight for Manchester’s Gay Village is not over and I promise the Liberal Democrats in Manchester will do everything we can to protect our city’s LGBTQ+ history in Julia’s memory.
“All my thoughts are with Julia’s loved ones at this time.”
One of the last remaining cast members of Paris Is Burning, Hector Xtravaganza has died at the age of 60.
Hector Xtravaganza has sadly passed away at the age of 60. His death was announced on the House of Xtravaganza’s facebook page last night.
In a message on the page he was described as a “corner stone” of the family house.
“It is with profound sadness the House of Xtravaganza family announce the passing of our beloved Grandfather Hector.
“He was a friend to everyone he met, a source of inspiration for all who knew him, and a cornerstone of our House family. Arrangements for a celebration of Hector’s life will be shared in the coming days.’
Hector who was a dancer and AIDS activist, was a founding member of the House of Xtravaganza since its formation in 1982. It became the first Latino house in the New York ballroom scene. He served the house twice as its father.
Her body was discovered under a bed at the Duchess Hotel in New York according to her House mother Angie Xtravaganza. She had been strangled. Her body was discovered four days after her death. Her killer has never been found and her death remains an open, unsolved crime. According to the New York Post, New York has about 9000 unsolved murders since 1985.
Comedian and actor June Whitfield has passed away at the age of 93.
Tributes have poured in for one of the UK’s most famous comic actors, Dame June Whitfield. She, according to her agent, died peacefully on Friday night (27th December 2018). She was born June Rosemary Whitfield in Streatham, south London on 11 November 1925.
June was most famous for her roles on the 70’s sitcom June and Terry and later as the mother in Ab Fab, she delighted audiences with her quick onliners and impeccable timing.
Her careers spanned seven decades and she appeared in over 1300 radio and television shows.
Tribute were made by most of her Absolutely Fabulous co-cast members, including, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha and Jane Horrocks.
Joanna Lumley remembered June as “brilliant and gorgeous”
Sad news just in.. The brilliant and gorgeous June Whitfield has sadly passed away at the age of 93. Thoughts go out to her family and friends ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9RpDLzStej
Julia who plays Saffi in the comedy Absolutely Fabulous thanked June for “teaching me my craft with such dignity and grace”. Julia remarked how in awe she was and that June was “far too humble” to accept her adoration.
Jane Horrocks paid tribute to June as a “wonderful lady” and remarked on how “versatile, funny and generous” June was during their time working together.
Grew up on #TerryAndJune and had the pleasure of working with June on #AbsolutelyFabulous. She was a wonderful lady. Versatile, funny and generous. Much loved and will be much missed
David S Buckley set himself a light in Brooklyn, New York, in an apparent protest suicide. His suicide note said, “I am David Buckel and I just killed myself by fire as a protest suicide,” read a handwritten suicide note, according to the New York Daily News. “I apologize to you for the mess.”
TV Presenter Dale Winton, 62
19th April 2018
The TV presenter, Dale Winton died from natural causes at the age of 62. He had recently returned to our small screens on his show, Dale Winton’s Florida Fly Drive.
Dale Winton is probably most famous for his stint as a daytime telly presenter. The programme, Dale’s Supermarket Sweep catapulted him to fame in the early to mid-1990s. The show ran from 1993 to 2007. After the programme ended he also presented, In It To Win It and Hole in The Wall. He’s also worked in radio and has appeared in various charity TV shows.
Rick Genest, known professionally as Zombie Boy died at the age of 32. He was found just days before what would have been his 33rd birthday.
Most notably he starred in Lady Gaga’s music video for the LGBT+ anthem, ‘Born This Way’ in 2011. He was found deceased at his home in Montreal, Canada.
The icon Aretha Franklin died, she was 76-years-old. It was reported a few days ago that she was “gravely ill”. The cause of her death is reportedly advanced pancreatic cancer.
The singer who rose to fame during the 60s has had an enduring career that lasted well into her 70s. She is most famous for singing, “Respect”, “Say A Little Prayer” and “Natural Woman”.
Dancer, actor and mime artist Lindsay Kemp
25th August 2018
HIV Campaigner and Advocate Jacob Alexander , 25
29th October 2018
Jacob Alexander an immerging designer, a former student at the University of the Arts London and HIV campaigner has died at the age of 25. It is believed he ended his own life, according to PinkNews. He was just 25.
June Whitfield
27th December 2018
June was most famous for her roles on the 70’s sitcom June and Terry and later as the mother in Ab Fab, she delighted audiences with her quick onliners and impeccable timing.
Her careers spanned seven decades and she appeared in over 1300 radio and television shows.
Switzerland is taking a tough stance on homophobia and transphobia after voting to make the crime’s punishment attract up to three years in jail. It means that the punishment for homophobia is now in line with that of racism in the country.
However, the bill still needs to be passed by the Council Of States before it becomes official law.
Mathias Reynard put the law forward and posted on Twitter “A magnificent success for human rights! Final response in December to the Council of States. # LGBT ?️???.”
“Powerful Message”
Speaking to Shortlist Mathias said, “The Swiss Parliament’s decision is great news because it sends the powerful message that homophobia is not an opinion; as for racism, it’s a violation of the law.
“I tabled the motion after speaking to friends of mine who have personally been victims of verbal and physical homophobic violence.
“And working on this law I found out that the Swiss case-law doesn’t punish either hate speech or incitement to hatred towards LGBT+ people. During the last few years, this loophole in the law has been pointed out several times at an international level.”
Switzerland falls short on LGBT+ Rights
However it’s interesting to note that gay marriage is still illegal in the country and full child adoption by gay couples is also banned.
